In the complex world of logistics, the efficient movement of goods is critical. For any business moving freight to and from a facility, freight routing guides help guide the selection of the most appropriate carriers and transportation routes. Ultimately, these comprehensive, living documents or databases help companies optimize transportation operations, ensure efficient transportation, and improve their bottom line.
Here are three tips for optimizing your freight routing guides:
- Perform regular audits and updates:
Due to constantly changing contract rates and capacity (among other things), a freight routing guide can quickly become outdated if left unattended. Conducting regular audits and updates is crucial to ensure a routing guide’s effectiveness and relevance. Businesses should review and refine their routing guides at least once a year, keeping them aligned with current industry trends, regulations, and internal processes.
- Establish a balance between price and quality:
While cost-efficiency is crucial, choosing the lowest-cost option by default could lead to poor service – delayed deliveries, damaged goods, and ultimately dissatisfied customers. Therefore, businesses should carefully consider the balance between price and service when putting together their routing guides. Oftentimes, this may require some contract negotiation with preferred carriers.
- Monitor shipping performance:
Analyzing shipping data is important for identifying inefficiencies and trends, especially when it comes to carrier performance. Data can even be used to assess transit times, on-time delivery rates, and any recurring issues. Performance tracking can be done through a Transportation Management System (T.M.S.), whether it is in-house or through a provider.
While creating routing guides is a step in the right direction, simply having them is not enough to optimize shipping operations. To truly get the most out of freight routing guides, businesses must routinely perform audits, balance price and quality, and monitor performance. This way, they can continue growing and keep their supply chain moving.
W.I.S. Logistics’ cloud-based T.M.S. can digitally connect to your supply chain management and enhance workflow. With all your logistics information in one place, you can have access to the most up-to-date and secure information.
When you work with W.I.S. Logistics, you’ll gain a partner who will store your routing guides, find the best rates, work directly with the carriers and ultimately will help improve your bottom line.
Contact us today to learn how we can help.